Ben Lomond walk

The weather forecast was typically Scottish - rain, hail, and lightning with sunny intervals. The group however set off with gusto as they all attempted their first ascent of a Munro. The weather was initially fine, the group were cheery and the prospects of an excellent day were ahead of us. It was an early start and after some banter with fellow walkers in the car park the group were ready to go.

The challenge was taken up by some of the Duke of Edinburgh and John Muir award participants. The walking practice was the objective of the Duke of Edinburgh Award group and the experience of the National Park was the objective of the John Muir participants.

 It was a challenge for all involved. However after 4 hours of ascending the Munro the group reached the summit. The views were spectacular and the feeling of achievement rippled through the group.

Well done to Sophie, Morgan, Sarah, Kayleigh, Callum and Jason who took part in this challenge and who were positive and determined to succeed throughout. Despite the late appearance of the forecast hail storm the drenched walkers were still in high spirits upon completion of their epic adventure.

The day’s events were summed up by Sophie who stated that she preferred going up rather than down, "I found it harder going up because you had to really push yourself to get there".

Group at the summit of Ben Lomond.

Duke of Edinburgh Award

Seventeen pupils at Doon Academy recently received their Duke of Edinburgh Bronze and Section Awards. Mr MacKenzie, Head teacher, presented the awards at a special ceremony in school. He congratulated the pupils on their tremendous achievement in earning an award which is internationally recognised by education establishments and employers alike.

This is the largest number of pupils to achieve this success in many years and it is attributable to the commitment and dedication of the pupils and the staff responsible for the programme this year: Mr Kerr, Mrs Murray and Mr Gooding.

This year's group are well underway to duplicate this success and we wish them well in the coming months.

DofE Award activities

In the Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award scheme several of our participants are well underway with their enterprising skills section of the programme. Marina and Nicky are offering free manicures to the residents of the local elderly care homes. Blair and Craig have set up a branch of the Cumnock Credit Union. Rachel and Kaitlyn are running a Smartie tube collection to help Bulgarian orphans and Katie and Lorelle are decorating and marketing dental hygiene. We wish all our participants well as they work towards their next stage of planning their expedition.

Youth Magazine

Tracey Baird and Mike Mills from the Ark Youth Project visited the school and met with Mr. MacKenzie and Mrs Murray PT of English to discuss pupil contributions to a new youth magazine project. Pupils and staff are looking forward to working with the Ark whose alcohol free nightclub is a popular venue for young people.

DofE newsletter published

The school’s Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award group have produced the first issue of ‘Blab’, their magazine style newsletter. The newsletter had a Halloween theme and included features and articles by Heather Dunn (Chief Editor and music correspondent), Rosie Coles (special features), Ainsley Limond (Agony Aunt), Kirsty McCormick (Charity Editor), Kayleigh Boyd (Horoscopes), Alexander McDowall (Sports Editor) and Damian Slocombe (ICT correspondent). The group are looking forward to further improving their journalism skills with 2 more issue due out before Christmas.

Duke of Edinburgh Award

The Duke of Edinburgh Award Masterclass has been out and about locally developing their hill walking skills with walks to Dalcairney Falls and Achenroy Hill.

The outing to Dalcairney Falls was a particularly soggy affair despite the constant rain there were no complaints - what a hardy bunch! 

The Award candidates have been getting involved in local groups and services as part of their Volunteering section of the Award.  Some of the young people are helping out at after school groups in local primary schools and others have been getting involved in helping out in stables, nursing homes and youth clubs. 

We too need our volunteers. 

We are currently working on developing a programme of learning to enable the young people to develop the skills needed to participate in their expedition for the Award.  The programme will take place in the New Year and several walking days will be organised to support their training. This involves learning camp craft, navigation skills and group leadership. 

If you have a good knowledge of mountain skills and would like to get involved as a volunteer please contact Mark Kerr at Doon Academy - 01292 550521.

Bronze Expedition

Well done to Duke of Edinburgh Awards participants Ryan McKnight, James Mulholland and Caroline Crosby who completed their Bronze outdoor overnight expedition on Arran. Ms. Griffin, Mr. Tomlinson and Andy McNamara from East Ayrshire Outdoor Education accompanied the group. They had dry and warm weather conditions for their walk and everyone really enjoyed the expedition. The midges enjoyed the group’s visit too!

Duke of Edinburgh Expedition

The practice expedition to Glentrool for the Duke of Edinburgh Awards was a great success. Pupils Ryan McKnight, James Mulholland, Connor Adam and Caroline Crosby accompanied by Mrs. Strachan, Mr. Tickner and Andy McNamara from East Ayrshire Outdoor Education had dry and fairly warm conditions for their overnight camp. The group are now preparing for their final expedition to Arran on the 9th and 10th June and Miss. Griffin, Billy Tomlinson and Andy McNamara will accompany them. Good Luck and enjoy your expedition on Arran. We hope you have good weather!

Doon Academy Duke of Edinburgh Award expedition

The Doon Academy Duke of Edinburgh Award group is going on their practice expedition on 19th/20th May. They are going to Glentrool to prepare for their main expedition in June. The pupils attending are; Caroline Crosby, Robert McDowell, James Mulholland, Connor Adam and Ryan McKnight. Andy McNamara from the East Ayrshire Outdoor Learning Centre will accompany them along with Mrs Strachan and a second member of staff from Doon. The final destination for the Expedition is still to be chosen.

Duke of Edinburgh Award

The Duke of Edinburgh Award pupils attended an outdoor day, which involved walking, expedition training and first aid.
Robert McDowall and Gavin McFadzean are busy helping Dalmellington Primary Football Team as part of their Duke of Edinburgh award. Well Done boys!

Army in

The Army visited the school for a training session with pupils from the Duke of Edinburgh Award Group.

Duke of Edinburgh Award

Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme participants from Doon Academy have been raising money for Children in Need. The following people raised money Mark Webster - £96.00, Adam Lindores - £48.50 and Reece Wigglesworth - £15.00. Well Done to them all for their efforts.

Duke of Edinburgh Award

Three 5th year pupils, Caroline Crosby, Tami Drynan and Ashleigh Smillie are trying to raise money for the Yorkhill Sick Children’s Hospital as part of their Duke of Edinburgh award scheme service section. Also, for their Duke of Edinburgh Award certificate Blair O’Neil and Mark Webster will be completing a sponsored swim to raise money for Cancer Research UK. The DOE group are planning a fundraising event on the 14th of November for Children in Need.
See the photos in the gallery.

Duke of Edinburgh Award Group

The Duke of Edinburgh Awards participants will be hosting a stall at intervals called the ‘Staff of Doom’. They will be selling items relating to Halloween to raise money for the project.

Duke of Edinburgh Award

The Duke of Edinburgh Award members are completing their service award and raising sponsorship by washing staff cars.